Cell Journal (Jan 2011)
Neuroprotective Effects of Carnosic Acid in an Experimental Model of Alzheimer’s Disease in Rats
Abstract
Objective: Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of neurodegenerative disorder.It has been suggested that oxidative stress can be one of the pathological mechanisms ofthis disease. Carnosic acid (CA) is an effective antioxidant substance and recent studieshave shown that its electrophilic compounds play a role in reversing oxidative stress. Thuswe tried to find out whether CA administration protects hippocampal neurons, preventingneurodegeneration in rats.Materials and Methods: Animals were divided into four groups: Sham-operated (sham),CA-pretreated sham-operated (sham+CA), untreated lesion (lesion) and CA-pretreatedlesion (lesion+CA). Animals in all groups received vehicle or vehicle plus CA (CA: 10mg/kg) intra-peritoneally one hour before surgery, again the same solution injected 3-4hours after surgery (CA: 3 mg/kg) and repeated each afternoon for 12 days. A lesionwas made by bilateral intra-hippocampal injection of 4 μl of beta amyloid protein (1.5nmol/μl) or vehicle in each side. 14 days after surgery, the brains were extracted forhistochemical studies. Data was expressed as mean ± SEM and analyzed using SPSSstatistical software.Results: Results showed that pretreatment with carnosic acid can reduce cellular deathin the cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) region of the hippocampus in the lesion+CA group, as comparedwith the lesion group.Conclusion: Carnosic acid may be useful in protecting against beta amyloid-induced neurodegenerationin the hippocampus.
